My iPad Lettering Setup

I’ve had heaps of questions recently about my iPad lettering setup, so thought it made sense to compile all the info into one handy blog post. So here it is!

I love that using my iPad gives me the ability to letter in a huge range of styles and colours without having to carry 20 pens, 4 paintbrushes and 10 different coloured inks with me everywhere I go. Also, it has an undo function. Which is basically the best thing ever. On top of all of that (as if that wasn’t enough), it makes it it easy to re-write a single word 50 times when I’m trying to get it looking just right, or work quickly in a lot more detail when i’m doing sketchnotes at live events.

I currently have a 256GB 9.7″ iPad Pro and a 64GB 12.9″ iPad Pro.

I bought the 9.7″ in March 2016 thinking I would prefer the smaller size for portability over the larger screen size. It turns out I was wrong. I borrowed a friend’s 12.9″ for an event a in early 2017 and LOVED the larger screen. I barely use any of the storage space on this iPad tho – I really only use it for lettering and Netflix, and neither of those take up much space.

So in October 2017 I purchased a 12.9″ iPad Pro. I still have both, but really only use the larger one. It can be a little awkward to take out with me, but the extra screen real estate is totally worth it.

So, onto the apps and accessories I recommend investing in to get yourself setup for iPad lettering like a pro.

Pencil Cover

I find that the Apple Pencil, straight out of the box, is unbalanced and too thin for me to work with comfortably for long periods of time. I’ve tried a few things to rectify that – including wrapping washi tape around the pencil! – but the thing I’ve found works best for me is a silicone cover like the one below. They’re less than $10 and are available on Amazon and eBay. Not only do they make a huge difference to how comfortable it is to work with – particularly when I’m sketching a full day event – it’s also a great way to minimise the risk of losing your cap! (The link below is an affiliate link, I earn a commission if you purchase via this link)

Matte Screen Protector

I find it super helpful to use a matte screen protector on my iPad. It helps to reduce fingerprints and other oily marks on your iPad – meaning the pencil will move more smoothly across the screen – and also helps create a slightly more textured surface, which can feel a little more natural to letter on than the shiny screen. On top of that, doing videos without one on is a nightmare – screen glare anyone?!. Again, you can pick these up for just a few dollars from Amazon and eBay, but they can make a huge improvement to your lettering and iPad usability. (The links below are affiliate links, I earn a commission if you purchase via them)

I currently have this one on my 12.9″ iPad Pro:

Apps

I do all of my iPad lettering in the Procreate app. And my number one tip, particularly if you’re just starting out, is to make sure the streamline is at 100%! It will help smooth out your lines and create lovely letter shapes. You can find Streamline under the Stroke tab in the brush settings (screenshot below).

On top of that, getting great brushes makes a huge difference. You can find free brushes that are great for lettering, as well as buy them from online marketplaces and individual letters.

My favourite brush is included in my iPad lettering bundle, which you can purchase and download straight away.

At the end of the day, you don’t need any of these specific things, but for just a few dollars on top of what you’ve already invested into your iPad Pro, I believe they will make a big difference to your lettering.

If you already have an iPad Pro and want to dive into learning, I have some free tutorials available here, an iPad Lettering Bundle with worksheets and my custom brush settings, and if you’re totally ready to embrace your iPad and want the premium package, my full iPad course is available here.